On July 6, 2016, a near-total ban on commercial trade in African elephant ivory went into effect in the United States. The information on this webpage is intended to provide guidance for those who wish to buy, sell, or otherwise trade in elephant ivory. It’s important to note that the new regulations do not restrict personal possession of ivory. If you already own ivory – an heirloom carving that’s been passed down in your family, or a vintage musical instrument with ivory components, those pieces are yours. We know those items created long ago aren’t threatening today’s wild elephants.

African elephants are being poached at unprecedented levels to supply the illegal ivory trade, and the United States is among the largest markets for illegal ivory. We’ve implemented this near-total ban to ensure that U.S. domestic markets do not contribute to the decline of elephants in the wild. Learn more.

To determine the appropriate legal framework for your elephant ivory, you first need to determine whether your items are made of African or Asian elephant ivory. Such proof can be in the form of a qualified appraisal or other documentation that demonstrates the identification of the species through a detailed provenance of the article. We understand that this documentation may take some time to gather. In the meantime, we recommend that you review information on trade in both African and Asian elephant ivory. Note that requirements are stricter for Asian elephant ivory with regard to interstate and foreign commerce. For import, the requirements for African elephant ivory are stricter. If you plan to meet the strictest requirements, you’ll be prepared once you do confirm what species your item was made from.

It’s also worth noting that without species identification, the Service may be unable to issue a pre-Convention, musical instrument, or traveling exhibition certificate for export, and specimens may be refused clearance and detained at the port. All wildlife imported to or exported from the United States must be declared at the species level. Both African and Asian elephant ivory items that qualify as ESA antiques are exempt from the prohibition on interstate commerce. If you are not able to demonstrate which species of elephant is involved, you may only be able to engage in activities that are lawful for both species, such as interstate commerce of ivory that qualifies as antique under the ESA.

Can I sell African elephant ivory items…

Under Federal law, you can sell your African elephant ivory within your state (intrastate commerce) if you can demonstrate that your ivory was lawfully imported prior to the date that the African elephant was listed in CITES Appendix I (January 18, 1990). This documentation could be in the form of a CITES pre-Convention certificate, a datable photo, a dated letter or other document referring to the item, or other evidence.

You do not need to obtain a permit from the Service for sales within a state. However, if you are offering African elephant ivory for sale, you should be prepared to provide appropriate documentation to the Service, if asked. We would also suggest that you pass along all documentation to the buyer of your elephant ivory items.

Some states have laws prohibiting or restricting sale of ivory. Check to make sure that you are also in compliance with local and state laws. Contact the state to check on their requirements.

The sale of African elephant ivory items across state lines (interstate commerce) is prohibited, except for items that qualify as ESA antiques and certain manufactured or handcrafted items that contain a small (de minimis) amount of ivory and meet specific criteria.

Interstate commerce is always prohibited for the following:

sport-hunted trophies

items imported under the exception for a household move or inheritance

items imported as law enforcement or scientific specimens

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

To qualify for the de minimis exception, manufactured or handcrafted items must meet (i) or (ii) and (iii) - (vii) of the following criteria:

(i) If the item is located within the United States, the ivory was imported into the United States prior to January 18, 1990, or was imported into the United States under a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) pre-Convention certificate with no limitation on its commercial use;

(ii) If the item is located outside the United States, the ivory was removed from the wild prior to February 26, 1976;

(iii) The ivory is a fixed or integral component or components of a larger manufactured or handcrafted item and is not in its current form the primary source of the value of the item, that is, the ivory does not account for more than 50 % of the value of the item;

(iv) The ivory is not raw;

(v) The manufactured or handcrafted item is not made wholly or primarily of ivory, that is, the ivory component or components do not account for more than 50 % of the item by volume;

(vi) The total weight of the ivory component or components is less than 200 grams; and

(vii) The item was manufactured or handcrafted before July 6, 2016.

For items made of African elephant ivory that qualify as an ESA antique or meet the de minimis criteria, you do not need a permit from the Service to sell ivory across state lines. However, if you are offering African elephant ivory for sale, you should be prepared to provide appropriate documentation to the Service, if asked. We would also suggest that you pass along all documentation to the buyer of your elephant ivory items. For detailed information on documentation requirements, please refer to Director’s Order 210.

Some states have laws prohibiting or restricting sale of ivory. Check to make sure that you are also in compliance with local and state laws. Contact the state to check on their requirements.

Can I import African elephant ivory items…

Certain noncommercial imports are allowed when specific criteria are met:

You may import a worked African elephant ivory item into the United States for the noncommercial purposes listed below if it was legally acquired and removed from the wild prior to the listing of the African elephant under CITES (February 26, 1976):

sport-hunted trophies (limited to two per hunter per year).

law enforcement specimens

genuine scientific specimens.

Worked ivory that was legally acquired and removed from the wild prior to February 26, 1976 and is either:

Part of a household move or inheritance;

Part of a musical instrument; or

Part of a traveling exhibition.

The import of raw African elephant ivory is prohibited except:

as part of a lawfully taken personal sport-hunted trophy (limited to two per hunter per year),

law enforcement specimens, or

genuine scientific specimens.

You must obtain an ESA permit for import of an African elephant sport-hunted trophy. To apply for an import permit, submit application form 3-200-19. Instructions are on the form.

We do not require an ESA import permit for ivory items imported as part of a household move, inheritance, musical instrument, or traveling exhibition.

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information.

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

What requirements must be met to import African elephant ivory as part of a household move or inheritance?

African elephant ivory can be imported for personal use as part of a household move or inheritance provided the ivory was legally acquired and removed from the wild prior to the listing of the African elephant under CITES (February 26, 1976), and the item is accompanied by a valid CITES pre-Convention certifcate. Items are considered part of a household move if they are household effects included when moving your residence to or from the United States provided you own the item and are moving it for personal use and you import your household effects within one year of changing your residence from one country to another.

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information. If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.”

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

What requirements must be met to import African elephant ivory as part of a musical instrument?

Worked African elephant ivory can be imported as part of a musical instrument provided that the ivory was legally acquired and removed from the wild prior to the listing of the African elephant under CITES (February 26, 1976), and the musical instrument containing elephant ivory is accompanied by a valid CITES musical instrument certificate or an equivalent CITES document that meets the requirements of CITES Resolution Conf. 16.8. Raw African elephant ivory cannot be imported as part of a musical instrument.

A CITES musical instrument certificate or an equivalent CITES document should be obtained from the musician's country of usual residence. You can find contact information for CITES offices at the following website: http://cites.org/eng/cms/index.php/component/cp

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information. If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.”

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

What requirements must be met to import African elephant ivory as part of a traveling exhibition?

Worked African elephant ivory may be imported as part of a traveling exhibition, such as a museum or art exhibit, provided the ivory was legally acquired and removed from the wild prior to the listing of the African elephant under CITES (February 26, 1976), and the item containing elephant ivory is accompanied by a valid CITES traveling exhibition certificate or an equivalent CITES document that meets the requirements of 50 CFR 23.49. Raw African elephant ivory cannot be imported as part of a traveling exhibition.

A CITES traveling exhibition certificate or an equivalent CITES document should be obtained from the country where the exhibit originates. You can find contact information for CITES offices at the following website: http://cites.org/eng/cms/index.php/component/cp

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information. If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.”

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

Can I export African elephant ivory items…

If you wish to export your worked African elephant items for commercial purposes, you will need to demonstrate that your ivory qualifies as an ESA antique.

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

You do not need an ESA export permit as long as the item meets the restrictions noted above, but a CITES permit is required.

To obtain a CITES Pre-Convention Certificate for a single-use export authorization for worked ivory items, submit application form 3-200-23, available from http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-23.pdf (instructions are on the form).

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information. If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.”

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois. ▲

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

OR

It was legally acquired and removed from the wild prior to the listing of the African elephant under CITES, February 26, 1976, and is being exported as:

part of a household move or inheritance, or

part of a musical instrument or as

part of a traveling exhibition.

OR

It qualifies as pre-ESA or “pre-Act” under section 9(b)(1) of the Act. To qualify as pre-Act, a specimen must:

Have been held in captivity or in a controlled environment prior to December 28, 1973, or prior to the date of first listing under the ESA; and

Such holding or use and any subsequent holding or use was not in the course of a commercial activity.

OR

Exports of law enforcement and genuine scientific specimens may be authorized.

You do not need an ESA export permit as long as the item meets the restrictions noted above, but a CITES permit is required.

To obtain a CITES Pre-Convention Certificate for a single-use export authorization for worked ivory items, submit application form 3-200-23, available from http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-23.pdf (instructions are on the form).

To apply for a traveling exhibition certificate for frequent cross-border movement of worked ivory as part of a traveling exhibition, please submit application form 3-200-30, available from https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-30.pdf (instructions are on the form).

To apply for a musical instrument certificate for frequent cross-border movement of worked ivory contained in a musical instrument, please apply using application 3-200-88, available from https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-88.pdf (instructions are on the form).

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information. If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.”

Can I sell African elephant ivory outside the Unites States (foreign commerce)? +

Foreign commerce does not include import or export activities. Foreign commerce is defined in section 3 of the Endangered Species Act and applies to individuals or entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The term “foreign commerce” includes, among other things, any transaction—

between persons within one foreign country;

between persons in two or more foreign countries;

between a person within the United States and a person in a foreign country; or

between persons within the United States, where the wildlife in question is moving in any country or countries outside the United States.

Foreign commerce in African elephant ivory is prohibitedfor any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, except for items that qualify as ESA antiques and certain manufactured or handcrafted items that contain a small (de minimis) amount of ivory and meet specific criteria.

Foreign commerce is always prohibited for the following:

sport-hunted trophies

items that are imported or exported as part of a household move or inheritance

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

To qualify for the de minimis exception, manufactured or handcrafted items must meet (i) or (ii) and (iii) - (vii) of the following criteria:

(i) If the item is located within the United States, the ivory was imported into the United States prior to January 18, 1990, or was imported into the United States under a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) pre-Convention certificate with no limitation on its commercial use;

(ii) If the item is located outside the United States, the ivory was removed from the wild prior to February 26, 1976;

(iii) The ivory is a fixed or integral component or components of a larger manufactured or handcrafted item and is not in its current form the primary source of the value of the item, that is, the ivory does not account for more than 50 % of the value of the item;

(iv) The ivory is not raw;

(v) The manufactured or handcrafted item is not made wholly or primarily of ivory, that is, the ivory component or components do not account for more than 50 % of the item by volume;

(vi) The total weight of the ivory component or components is less than 200 grams; and

I have a violin bow that contains a small amount of ivory. Can I sell the bow in the United States, export it for sale, or take it overseas for a concert? +

If the bow meets the requirements for the de minimis exception, including that the ivory was removed from the wild prior to February 26, 1976, and that the total weight of the ivory is less than 200 grams you will be able to sell it in the United States.

If the bow qualifies as an ESA antique, you will be able to export it for sale.

If the bow meets the requirements for import/export of a musical instrument, including that the ivory was removed from the wild prior to February 26, 1976, it is accompanied by a CITES musical instrument certificate or equivalent CITES document, the bow is securely marked or uniquely identified, and it will not be sold or otherwise transferred while outside the United States (see paragraph (e)(4) in the proposed rule text for details) you can travel with it internationally for personal use, including to perform in concerts.

If you can demonstrate that it qualifies as an ESA antique, you can sell it. However, state laws and online retailer policies may further restrict or prohibit ivory sales. Always consult with your state and the retailer to determine their requirements.

Can I sell Asian elephant ivory items…

Under Federal law, you can sell your Asian elephant ivory within your state (intrastate commerce) if you can demonstrate that your ivory was lawfully imported prior to the date that the Asian elephant was listed in CITES Appendix I (July 1, 1975). This documentation could be in the form of a CITES pre-Convention certificate, a datable photo, a dated letter or other document referring to the item, or other evidence.

You do not need to obtain a permit from the Service for sales within a state. However, if you are offering Asian elephant ivory for sale, you should be prepared to provide appropriate documentation to the Service, if asked. We would also suggest that you pass along all documentation to the buyer of your elephant ivory items.

Some states have laws prohibiting or restricting sale of ivory. Check to make sure that you are also in compliance with local and state laws. Contact the state to check on their requirements.

The sale of Asian elephant ivory across state lines is prohibited except for items that qualify as ESA antiques.

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

For items made of Asian elephant ivory that qualify as an ESA antique, you do not need a permit from the Service to sell ivory across state lines. However, if you are offering Asian elephant ivory for sale, you should be prepared to provide appropriate documentation to the Service, if asked. We would also suggest that you pass along all documentation to the buyer of your elephant ivory items. For detailed information on documentation requirements, please refer to Appendix 1 of Director’s Order 210.

Some states have laws prohibiting or restricting sale of ivory. Check to make sure that you are also in compliance with local and state laws. Contact the state to check on their requirements.

Can I import Asian elephant ivory items…

Asian elephant ivory may only be imported into the United States for commercial purposes if it qualifies as an ESA antique.

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information.

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port”.U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

Asian elephant ivory may only be imported into the United States for noncommercial purposes if it qualifies as antique, or as pre-Act or is accompanied by an ESA export permit for scientific or enhancement of survival purposes.

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

To qualify as pre-Act, under section 9(b)(1) of the ESA, a specimen must:

Have been held in captivity or in a controlled environment prior to December 28, 1973, or prior to the date of first listing under the ESA (June 14, 1976 for the Asian elephant); and

Such holding or use and any subsequent holding or use was not in the course of a commercial activity.

To apply for an ESA import permit for an Asian elephant specimen, submit application form 3-200-37. Instructions are on the form. Per Section 10 of the ESA and 50 CFR 17.22 import will only be authorized provided the activity is for scientific purposes or will enhance the survival of the species.

All ivory items must be accompanied by a valid CITES document from the exporting country. You can find contact information for CITES offices at the following website:

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information.

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.”U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

Can I export Asian elephant ivory items…

If you wish to export your Asian elephant items for commercial purposes you will need to be able to demonstrate that your ivory qualifies as an ESA antique:

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

You do not need an ESA export permit as long as the item meets the restrictions noted above, but a CITES permit is required.

To obtain a CITES Pre-Convention Certificate for a single-use export authorization for worked ivory items, submit application form 3-200-23, available from http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-23.pdf (instructions are on the form).

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information.

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port”.U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

Asian elephant ivory may be exported from the United States for noncommercial purposes if it qualifies as an ESA antique or as pre-Act or is accompanied by an ESA export permit for scientific or enhancement of survival purposes.

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

Have been held in captivity or in a controlled environment prior to December 28, 1973, or prior to the date of first listing under the ESA (June 14, 1976 for the Asian elephant); and

Such holding or use and any subsequent holding or use was not in the course of a commercial activity.

You do not need an ESA export permitas long as the item meets the restrictions noted above, but a CITES permit is required.

To obtain a one-time export authorization for worked ivory items, please apply for a CITES Pre-Convention Certificate. You can apply for this authorization using form 3-200-23, available from http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-23.pdf (instructions are on the form).

To apply for a traveling exhibition certificate for frequent cross-border movement of worked ivory as part of a traveling exhibition, please submit application form 3-200-30, available from https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-30.pdf (instructions are on the form).

To apply for a musical instrument certificate for frequent cross-border movement of worked ivory contained in a musical instrument, please apply using application 3-200-88, available from https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-88.pdf (instructions are on the form).

If the above criteria are not met, to apply for an ESA export permit for an Asian elephant specimen, submit application form 3-200-37. Instructions are on the form. Per Section 10 of the ESA and 50 CFR 17.22 export will only be authorized provided the activity is for scientific purposes or will enhance the survival of the species.

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information.

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port.”U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

Can I sell Asian elephant ivory outside the Unites States (foreign commerce)? +

Foreign commerce does not include import or export activities. Foreign commerce is defined in section 3 of the Endangered Species Act and applies to individuals or entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The term “foreign commerce” includes, among other things, any transaction—

between persons within one foreign country;

between persons in two or more foreign countries;

between a person within the United States and a person in a foreign country; or

between persons within the United States, where the wildlife in question is moving in any country or countries outside the United States.

Foreign commerce in Asian elephant ivory is prohibitedfor any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, except for items that qualify as ESA antiques.

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

Yes. Federal wildlife laws and regulations such as CITES, the ESA, and the AfECA do not prohibit possessing or display of ivory, provided it was lawfully acquired. There is no certification requirement or process to register ivory items and you do not need a permit from the Service to possess or display ivory for noncommercial purposes. We recommend that you maintain any records or documentation you have that demonstrates the origin and chain of ownership of the item. We recommend that you provide all documentation to any future recipient of your elephant ivory item. Check to make sure that you are also in compliance with local and state laws. Contact the state to check on their requirements.

Yes. Federal wildlife laws and regulations such as CITES, the ESA, and the AfECA do not prohibit donating or giving away your ivory item, or receiving an ivory item as a donation or a gift, provided it was lawfully acquired and there is no exchange for other goods or services involved. We recommend that you provide the recipient with any records or documentation you have that demonstrate the origin and chain of ownership of the items. Check to make sure that you are also in compliance with local and state laws. Contact the state to check on their requirements.

How can I tell the difference between elephant ivory and other types of ivory? +

It is possible to identify elephant ivory from other types of ivory. For more information, please visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Forensics Laboratory website. Proceed with caution if you are purchasing ivory. Ask for documentation that shows the species and age of the ivory item you are purchasing. This documentation could include CITES permits or certificates, certified appraisals, documents that detail date and place of manufacture, etc.

How can I travel internationally with my musical instrument that contains ivory? +

Some musical instruments contain parts of species, such as elephant ivory, that are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other U.S. laws including the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Musicians planning to make multiple border crossings with a musical instrument that contains ivory should apply for a CITES musical instrument certificate. This authorization is for noncommercial purposes; instruments must accompany the musician on travel out of and back into the country and may not be sold or otherwise disposed of outside the United States.

Orchestras planning to make multiple border crossings with a group of instruments should apply for a CITES traveling exhibition certificate. Orchestras traveling internationally must maintain the instruments together on travels out of and back into the United States. This authorization is for noncommercial purposes; the instruments may not be sold or otherwise disposed of outside of United States. If a musician intends to travel with his or her instrument separately from the orchestra while outside the United States the musician should separately obtain an individual CITES musical instrument certificate.

The following criteria must be met:

You must determine whether your items are made of African or Asian elephant ivory. Such proof can be in the form of a qualified appraisal or other documentation that demonstrates the identification of the species through a detailed provenance of the article.

If you have African elephant ivory, you must be able to demonstrate that the ivory was legally acquired and removed from the wild prior to the listing of the African elephant under CITES, February 26, 1976. This proof could be in the form of a qualified appraisal, or documentation that shows the manufacturing date of the instrument.

If you have Asian elephant ivory, you must be able to demonstrate that the ivory qualifies as an ESA antique or as pre-Act. This proof could be in the form of a qualified appraisal or documentation that shows the manufacturing date of the instrument.

U.S. musicians and orchestras wishing to embark on international travel with instruments that meet the above criteria may apply for a CITES traveling exhibition certificate from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits using form 3-200-88, available from http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-88.pdf (instructions are on the form).

Musicians and orchestras based in foreign countries should contact the CITES Management Authority in their country of usual residence to obtain the necessary CITES documents. You can find contact information for CITES offices in foreign countries at the following website: http://cites.org/eng/cms/index.php/component/cp.

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information.

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port”.U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

How can I import or export ivory items as part of a traveling exhibition? +

Traveling exhibitions, such as museum or art exhibits, may include items that contain parts or products of species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and U.S. laws including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), such as African or Asian elephant ivory. Certain items containing ivory may be imported into or exported from the United States as part of a traveling exhibition under specific conditions.

Raw African elephant ivory may not be imported or exported as part of a traveling exhibition.

The traveling exhibition certificate authorization is for noncommercial purposes. Items authorized under a CITES traveling exhibition certificate must be maintained together and may not be sold or otherwise disposed while outside of your country of residence; the authorization is limited to items that will be returned to the country of residence.

In addition to the valid CITES traveling exhibition certificate, the following criteria must be met:

Part of this process requires that you evaluate whether the items are made of African or Asian elephant ivory. Such proof can be in the form of a qualified appraisal or other documentation that demonstrates the identification of the species through a detailed provenance of the article.

Import of African elephant ivory as part of a traveling exhibition is allowed provided the worked ivory was legally acquiredand taken from the wild prior to February 26, 1976.

Import of Asian elephant ivory as part of a traveling exhibition is allowed provided it qualifies as an ESA antique, or, if the item does not meet the antique criteria, it must meet pre-Actrequirements .

U.S.-based exhibitions that meet the above criteria may apply for a CITES traveling exhibition certificate from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits using application form 3-200-30, available from http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-30.pdf (instructions are on the form). The exhibition items must be maintained and exhibited together and may not be sold, or otherwise disposed of outside of the United States; the authorization is limited to items that will be re-imported.

All wildlife (including parts and products) imported into or exported from the United States for any purpose must be declared to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Contact the port you intend to use for more information.

If the item is an antique, it must enter through an endangered species “antique port”.U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated 13 ports for the entry of antiques made of ESA-listed species on September 22, 1982 (19 C.F.R. 12.26). The following ports are authorized: Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois.

The de minimis exemption applies only to items made from African elephant ivory. The African elephant 4(d) rule provides an exemption from prohibitions on selling or offering for sale in interstate and foreign commerce for certain manufactured or handcrafted items that contain a small (de minimis) amount of African elephant ivory.

To qualify for the de minimis exception, manufactured or handcrafted items must meet either (i) or (ii) and all of the criteria (iii) – (vii):

(i) If the item is located within the United States, the ivory was imported into the United States prior to January 18, 1990, or was imported into the United States under a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) pre-Convention certificate with no limitation on its commercial use;
(ii) If the item is located outside the United States, the ivory was removed from the wild prior to February 26, 1976;
(iii) The ivory is a fixed or integral component or components of a larger manufactured or handcrafted item and is not in its current form the primary source of the value of the item, that is, the ivory does not account for more than 50 % of the value of the item;
(iv) The ivory is not raw;
(v) The manufactured or handcrafted item is not made wholly or primarily of ivory, that is, the ivory component or components do not account for more than 50 % of the item by volume;
(vi) The total weight of the ivory component or components is less than 200 grams; and
(vii) The item was manufactured or handcrafted before July 6, 2016.

What types of ivory items are likely to qualify for the de minimis exemption?

Only African elephant ivory items may qualify for the de minimis exemption. This exemption is not available for Asian elephant ivory. When we proposed the 200-gram limit we had a particular suite of items in mind. The following types of items may qualify for the de minimis exception: many musical instruments (including many keyboard instruments, with ivory keys, most stringed instruments and bows with ivory parts or decorations, and many bagpipes, bassoons and other wind instruments with ivory trim); most knives and guns with ivory grips; and certain household and decorative items (including teapots with ivory insulators, measuring tools with ivory parts or trim, baskets with ivory trim, walking sticks and canes with ivory decorations, and many furniture pieces with ivory inlay, etc.). However, to qualify for the de minimis exception, all of the above criteria must be met (either (i) or (ii) and (iii)-(vii)). To view examples of items that may meet de minimis criteria, click here.

Asian elephant ivory items do not qualify for the de minimis exemption. This exemption is not available for Asian elephant ivory. Examples of African elephant ivory items that we do not expect would qualify for the de minimis exemption include chess sets with ivory chess pieces (both because we would not consider the pieces to be fixed or integral components of a larger manufactured item and because the ivory would likely be the primary source of value of the chess set), an ivory carving on a wooden base (both because it would likely be primarily made of ivory and the ivory would likely be the primary source of its value), and ivory earrings or a pendant with metal fittings (again both because they would likely be primarily made of ivory and the ivory would likely be the primary source of its value).

To qualify for the de minimis exemption, an item must be made of African elephant ivory and must meet the criteria provided above. We consider an item to be made wholly or primarily of ivory if the ivory component or components account for more than 50 percent of the item by volume. Likewise, if more than 50 percent of the value of an item is attributed to the ivory component or components we consider the ivory to be the primary source of the value of that item. Value can be ascertained by comparing a similar item that does not contain ivory to one that does (for example, comparing the price of a basket with ivory trim/decoration to the price of a similar basket without ivory components). Though not required, a qualified appraisal or another method of documenting the value of the item and the relative value of the ivory component, including, information in catalogs, price lists, and other similar materials, can also be used. We will not require ivory components to be removed from an item to be weighed. To view examples of items that may meet de minimis criteria, click here.

A piece of ivory that weighs 200 grams is slightly larger than a cue ball. The 200-gram limit is large enough to accommodate the white key veneers on an 88-key piano. Click here for photographs of ivory items of various weights. **NOTE: The items in these photographs would not qualify for the de minimis exception because they are made wholly of ivory. These photographs are only intended to illustrate the size of 200g of ivory. To qualify for the de minimis exception, an item would need to meet all of the criteria listed above. To view examples of items that may meet de minimis criteria, click here.

To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter must demonstrate]:

It is 100 years or older.

It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;

It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and

It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”*

Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22, 1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C above, but not element D.

Antiques that meet these criteria (ESA antiques) are exempt from ESA prohibitions and the provisions in the African elephant final 4(d) rule. ESA antiques may be sold in interstate and foreign commerce and may be imported or exported without the need for an ESA permit. However, CITES and other import/export requirements must still be met. In addition, the moratorium on import of African elephant ivory under the African Elephant Conservation Act remains in effect for antiques and other African elephant ivory (other than sport-hunted trophies).

Under the ESA, a person claiming the benefit of the antiques exemption has the burden of demonstrating that the item qualifies for the exemption. This is true for all ESA-listed species, including African and Asian elephants. We have provided guidance in Appendix 1 of Director’s Order 210 on ways to demonstrate that an item qualifies as an ESA antique.

We want to clarify that forensic testing is not necessarily required. Provenance and age may be determined through a detailed history of the item, including but not limited to, family photos, ethnographic fieldwork, art history publications, or other information that authenticates the article and assigns the work to a known period of time or, where possible, to a known artist or craftsman. A qualified appraisal or another method, including using information in catalogs, price lists, and other similar materials that document the age by establishing the origin of the item, can also be used.

Worked items include carvings and components of larger finished products such as knife handles, billiard cues, musical instruments and furniture. Raw ivory means an elephant tusk, or any piece of tusk, the surface of which, polished or unpolished, is unaltered or minimally carved, including ivory mounted on a stand or part of a trophy.

February 26, 1976, is the date the African elephant was first listed under CITES (the pre-Convention date). An item that contains African elephant ivory that was removed from the wild prior to February 26, 1976, is considered to be a pre-Convention specimen. This does not mean that the current owner must have purchased or acquired it prior to 1976, but that the item was manufactured from ivory that was taken from the wild prior to 1976. For example, a musical instrument that was manufactured in 1965 using African elephant ivory would be considered a pre-Convention specimen. Likewise, an instrument manufactured in 1985 using ivory acquired by the manufacturer in 1975 would also be considered a pre-Convention specimen. Since it is unlawful to possess specimens that have been traded contrary to CITES or taken in violation of the ESA, the ivory must have been legally acquired.

A CITES pre-Convention certificate can be issued for specimens that were taken from the wild before the species was listed under CITES in order to authorize export or re-export, provided certain criteria are met. For the African elephant, the pre-Convention date is February 26, 1976. For the Asian elephant, the pre-Convention date is July 1, 1975. It is not necessary to apply for a CITES pre-Convention certificate unless you are seeking authorization to export or re-export an item.

U.S. residents may apply to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits using form 3-200-23, for a CITES pre-Convention Certificate for the purpose of exporting an item from the United States. If you wish to import an item into the United States, this authorization must be obtained from the exporting country. A list of CITES Management Authorities is available on the CITES Secretariat’s website.

Specimens (e.g., elephant ivory, hair or leather) considered pre-Act may be exempt from standard prohibitions on import or export. To qualify as pre-Act, a specimen must:

Have been held in captivity or in a controlled environment prior to December 28, 1973, or prior to the date of first listing under the ESA (June 14, 1976 for the Asian elephant; May 12, 1978 for the African elephant); and

Such holding or use and any subsequent holding or use was not in the course of a commercial activity.

Foreign commerce does not include import or export activities. Foreign commerce is defined in section 3 of the Endangered Species Act and applies to individuals or entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The term “foreign commerce” includes, among other things, any transaction—

between persons within one foreign country;

between persons in two or more foreign countries;

between a person within the United States and a person in a foreign country; or

between persons within the United States, where the wildlife in question is moving in any country or countries outside the United States.